-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Eleven years ago this week , the world faced the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome , or SARS , a new epidemic that infected some 8,000 people , took the lives of 775 individuals , and inflicted $ 30 billion in damage to regional economies .

The emergence of SARS was a wake-up call for the World Health Organization and its members , including the United States . The world had to do more to prevent , detect and respond to new biological threats .

This is not just a health challenge ; it 's a security challenge as well .

Infectious diseases -- whether naturally occurring , deliberate or accidental -- have the potential to cause enormous damage in terms of lives lost , economic impact and ability to recover , just as with nuclear , chemical , or cybersecurity attacks .

During the anthrax attacks of 2001 , 22 people were infected and five people lost their lives here in in the United States . The cleanup cost was more than $ 1 billion . The global H1N1 influenza pandemic of 2009 killed 284,000 people worldwide in its first year alone , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

In the decade since the SARS outbreak , we have made notable progress . China , for instance , has shown leadership in its transparent approach to the ongoing and rapidly escalating H7N9 influenza outbreak .

Under revised WHO regulations , many countries have increased capability and made event reporting more transparent .

But 80 % of the world 's nations still are not prepared to deal with new pandemics , and more can and must be done across the health , agriculture and security sectors to elevate this issue and steer resources toward it .

The United States has made addressing infectious disease threats a priority . On Thursday in Washington and Geneva , we are convening 26 countries to launch a Global Health Security Agenda that will accelerate progress on addressing a wide range of global health security threats .

With our partners and allies , we 'll be intensifying our efforts to meet the challenges of an increasingly globalized world , whether that means the emergence and spread of new microbes , the globalization of travel and food supply , the rise of drug-resistant pathogens , or the risk of an inadvertent or intentional release .

At the same time , we 'll continue to work to prevent terrorists from developing , acquiring or using biological agents for harm .

New diseases are inevitable , but in the 21st century we have the tools to greatly reduce the threat posed by global epidemics . We can put in place a safe , secure , globally linked , inter-operable system to prevent disease threats , detect outbreaks in real time , and share information and expertise to respond effectively .

To achieve this goal , we must work more effectively across sectors and governments , harmonize our efforts , identify what works and measure our progress .

We invite national leaders , international organizations and nongovernmental stakeholders from around the world to join us in this endeavor . Our security and the lives and livelihoods of our citizens depend on it .

The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of John Kerry , Kathleen Sebelius and Lisa Monaco .

@highlight

Infectious diseases are security challenges , say John Kerry and Kathleen Sebelius

@highlight

SARS , anthrax , H1N1 and other diseases threaten humanity on a global scale , they note

@highlight

On Thursday , 26 countries convene to accelerate progress on global health security threats